Is Osimhen the striker to end Chelsea’s number 9 curse?

Over the years at Stamford Bridge, the number 9 curse has plagued many new arrivals. From the likes of Fernando Torres to Romelu Lukaku, there have been many once high-scoring strikers who have completely flopped in front of goal while at Chelsea. The latest to don the cursed jersey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has scored just a single league goal at Stamford Bridge, that coming on his Premier League debut for the Blues against Crystal Palace back in early October. He went on to score twice against his former club AC Milan in the Champions League, but has done little of note since then.

His time at Stamford Bridge is surely up after just a season, as Graham Potter excluded him from his 25-man Champions League squad to accommodate their new January arrivals, and is currently linked with a move to LAFC in the MLS, a fast fall from grace for the speedy Gabon forward. 

Chelsea have also been a goal shy team this year. Every side in the top half of the table has netted more than their 22 goals this season, including Manchester City hitman Erling Haaland, who has three more goals than the west London side at the time of writing. 

By comparison, over in Italy, high flying Napoli have been banging in the goals. They're currently averaging 2.43 goals per game, over double Chelsea’s 1.05 goal per game, and with Victor Osimhen in their ranks, he has been vital in their push to domestic glory. The top scorer in Serie A this season, Osimhen has 16 goals in 17 games for the Partenopei, contributing over 30% of their goals this season, and has set up three for his teammates as well. 

So, there will be no surprise that Chelsea, who have already been big spenders in the transfer windows this season, are linked with a move for the Nigerian striker. Osimhen could be the final piece in Todd Boehly’s Chelsea jigsaw puzzle, which will see six seasons without a Premier League crown, the longest gap between league titles for the Blues since their first Premier League title win in 2004/05. 

If you look at Chelsea’s current crop of strikers, you can also see why they are keen to improve in that area, having already reinforced their midfield and defence. Kai Havertz, their main focal point, has scored just 13 league goals since the start of last season. Osimhen has bagged three more goals this season alone. Osimhen also boasts a 23.1% conversion rate in comparison to Havertz’s 12.5%, highlighting how he is the more clinical of the two. 

The difference between the two is stark, with Osimhen averaging more key passes per 90 and more goal contributions this season than the German. It is worth noting that Chelsea are a team in transition, while Napoli have built a free flowing and exciting side, and one currently on course to win their first Scudetto in 33 years. 

In terms of within Serie A, he has been most lethal within the box, where all 16 of his goals have come from. He has also been good in the air, and is top for headed goals in the division. Havertz, by contrast, is only top in one stat in the Premier League; he has committed the most offsides in the division. 

Osimhen has two years remaining on his contract, and Napoli are looking for a fee around €150m, but with Chelsea purchasing Enzo Fernandez for a record breaking Premier League transfer fee, they will not be put off by such a price. 

Graham Potter’s side have also been linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram, but Osimhen is arguably a class above these options, despite how shallow the elite striker pool is at the moment. 

With every new striker, there is always a risk that they don’t immediately adjust to their new surroundings, and that has so often been the case at Chelsea. Tammy Abraham looked a good fit before being sold to Roma, while Torres took a while to hit the ground running, but did contribute to some memorable moments for the Blues. 

However, the flops far outweigh the successes of the number 9 wearers, and Boehly, Potter and the Chelsea fans will be desperate for a striker who can shoulder the weight of expectation to lead the line on all fronts and end the shirt curse as they look to improve their chances at silverware next season.